Control apparatus for target traps



arch 3 H. c. FOSTER Er AL CONTROL. APPARATUS FOR TARGET TRAPS 2Shets-Sheec 1 Filed Feb. 12, 1955 7 8 2% j 3 7 4 2 v 2 3 1|- 4 1H L 1\4/ B FM. 0 II ii 1, A r v Z J 0/ O .n 0/ 4 O 6 6 5 3 fi344 +4 43 22% fixMarch 2, 1937. H. c. FOSTER El AL I 2,072,746

CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TARGET TRAPS Filed Feb. 12, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2qggzlllllllllllll iiii I /%4HRVCf/Evrz2 6WD Laud Lzzor flmw S E/www-Patented Mar. 2, 1937 2,072,748 CONTROL APPARATUS FOR TARGET TRAPS HarryClark Foster and Louis Leroy, Alton, 111., assignors to Westernfiartridge Company, East Alton, 111., a corporation of DelawareApplication February 12, 1935, Serial No. 6,149

16 caims;"""(c1. 124-3) This invention pertains to control apparatus fortarget traps such as are used for throwing clay pigeons in trapshooting.

In certain kinds of trap shooting competitions contestants have beenable to estimate with considerable accuracy the instant at which atarget is to be launched. In some cases there has even been a suspicionof collusion with the operator of the trap so that the shooter may havethe ad- 10 vantage of knowing exactly the instant at which the target isto be launched. It has been desirable, therefore, to provide controlmeans adapted to time the operation of the trap so that neithertheoperator nor the shooter can have any 15 foreknowledge of the instantat which the target is to appear.

One of the objects of this invention, therefore, is to provide suchcontrol means whereby the launching of the target may be delayed for acertain interval after operating the releasing handle.

Another object is to provide such control means adapted to vary thistiming for successive operations of the trap.

25 Another object is to provide such means whereby the delay intervalwill vary between successive operations in an irregular manner.

Another object is to provide novel and reliable mechanism adapted totime the operation of the trap at irregular intervals for successiveopera- 30 tions.

Another object is to provide such mechanism in which the timing iswholly beyond the control of the operator.

35 Further objects will appear from the following description taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section of a control apparatusembodying this invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse section on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a horizontal section on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a partial horizontal section taken on line t-t of Figure 1;and

Figure 5 is a fragmentary view of the trap showing the releasingmechanism thereof.

In accordance with this invention timing mechanism is interposed betweenthe operating handle 50 the trap to release the same, such timing mech-55 Referring now to the drawings i designates a at the pull station andthe connections going to casing of any suitable description in which isiournaled a shaft 2 upon which shaft is pivoted a pair of operatinghandles 3 and 4 working in a slot 5 in the top of the casing l. Thehandles 3 and ii are both pivoted on the shaft 2 and are of the sameshape except that they bear a right and a left relation to each other.Each is provided with a horizontally extending grip 6 and an upstandinggrip l, the latter being an extension of the operating handle itself.The arrangement is such that either handle 3 or 4 may be operatedindividually by grasping the grip 6 and pulling the same to the right,Figure 1. The handles may be operated simultaneously so as to operatetwo traps at once by grasping both grips I, each of which is in the formof a half grip, and pulling both handles simultaneously. A cushion stop8 of rubber or the like is provided against which the handles may engageat the end of a pull. This not only reduces the jar on the mechanism butquiets the noise so as to avoid giving a warning thereby to the shooter.Each of the handles 3 and d is provided with a rearwardly extending camextension 9 adapted to engage a lifting lever ill pivoted at II on asuitable bracket l2 on the casing l. The relation is such that wheneither handle 3 or t is pulled back its cam 9 will depress the lever W.The latter lever is held up by a spring l3 engaging a lug M on theforward end of the lever l and secured to the casing at its other end atIt.

Also pivoted on the shaft 2 are two actuators I6 and ll, the formerhaving an upstanding lug l8 engageable with 2. lug I9 on the handle 3and the latter having a lug 20 engaging a lug it on the handle 5. Theengagement of the lug l9 with the lug l8 maintains the actuator H in itsinactive position as shown in Figure 1.

The actuators l6 and l'i are alike and further description will beconfined to one of them. The actuator it has a downwardly extending arm22 adapted to engage one arm of a bell crank 63 whose other arm isjointed to a pull connection 6d extending to one of the traps to bereleased.

The actuator It also has a forwardly extending arm 23 adapted forengagement with a sear 24 pivoted at 25 in the casing. This sear has ahorizontally extending abutment 21 engaging the lower end of a firingpin 28 slidable in a bracket 29 on the front wall of the casing. Thesear 24 is symmetrically formed with respect to the abutment 29 so thatits lower edge extends in the path of both of the actuators l6 and I1.It is retained in elevated position by spring 3|].

flit aovarae When one or both of the operating handles 3 and 4 arepulled back against the stop 4 the corresponding actuators it and H arelifted against the sear 24 by spring 3| connected be- 5 tween theactuator and 2. lug 32 on the operating handle, which spring isstretched when the handle is pulled back. This tends to activate theactuators l6 and W so that when the firing pin 28 is struck from the topso as to depress the sear 10 24, the actuators will be released torotate on the shaft 2 under the action of the spring 3i. During suchrotation the arm 22 engages the bell crank 63 which is rotated on itspivot 33 to operate the pull connection til.

The timing mechanism comprises a cylinder 34 adjustably suspended on ascrew 35 provided with an adjusting nut 38 for raising or lowering thecylinder. A guide pin 37 on the cylinder head is guided between lugs 38so as to prevent rotation of the cylinder. Movable within the cylinderis a piston or plunger 39 having a downwardly extending piston rod 4i!guided at its lower end in a hole in the lug 29 and having fixed theretointermediate its ends an indexing hub 4| adapted to determine theangular position of the plunger 39 during each operation.

The upper end of the cylinder 34 is closed air-tight. At a determineddistance below the end of the cylinder the same is perforated with ahole 42. The plunger is accurately fitted to the cylinder with such aclearance as to permit it when released to descend against the suctionwithin the cylinder at a predetermined rate. In the present instance afit such that the plunger will drop four inches in the cylinder in threeand one-half seconds has been used with success. The surface of theplunger 39 is recessed with a series of longitudinal grooves 43. Thesegrooves are spaced at regular angular intervals 40 around the plungerbut have various lengths. The slots of different lengths are arranged inirregular order around the plunger. The longest of these slots is longenough to reach to the hole 42. in the cylinder when the plunger is inits uppermost position. It will be seen that by rotating the plunger 39so that different grooves 43 are placed in alinement with the hole 42,different intervals of time will be required for the plunger to descendfrom its uppermost position to the lower end of the cylinder. This isfor the reason that the vacuum created within the cylinder by thedescent of the plunger retards such descent until the lower end of thegroove 43 which happens to be in alinement with the hole 42 reaches thathole. When this occurs, air is admitted freely to the interior of thecylinder through the hole 42 and one of the grooves 43. From this timeon there will be no vacuum retardation but the plunger will fall free.The duration of the vacuum retardation depends upon the initial distancefrom the hole 42 to the lower end of the groove 43 which is in alinementtherewith.

The indexing hub 4| functions to aline one or another of the grooves 43with the hole 42. This hub is provided with a series of outwardlyextending projections 44 of angular spacing equal to that of the grooves43. Between these projections are downwardly flaring openings 45 adapted7 to receive a guide pin 46 when theplunger descends. This guide pin ismounted in upstanding position on the lug 29 and cooperates with theopenings 45 to position the plunger as it descends so as to aline one oranother of the 75 slots 43 with the hole 42. The hub 4| is furtherprovided with a series of upstanding lugs or studs ii? adapted to engagea pawl 4d pivoted at :9 on the casing. The pawl 48 is provided with astop pin 53 adapted to engage the pivot lug when the pawl drops so as tolimit its downward movement when the hub 4| moves downwardly, the pawldropping by gravity upon descent of the plunger. When the plunger isagain,

raised the pawl engages one of the lugs '41 and as the hub rises theaction of this pawl is to rotate the hub ti and the plunger through asufiicient angular distance to bring another of the grooves 43 intoalinement with the hole 42.

The operation of this mechanism is as follows: When the operatorreceives a signal to pull the trap, he pulls one or both of the handles3 and 4 rearwardly against the stop ii. This first operates to stretchthe spring 3| independently activating the actuator it for rotation onits pivot 2. If only one handle is pulled, the lug it or 2| of the otherhandle engages the lug it or 28 of its actuator and retains the same ininactive position.

Movement of the actuator it under the tension of the spring 3| isarrested by the sear 24. The operator retains the handle against stop 8until the trap has been released. The elevating lever m in its normalposition, before the operating handle is pulled, is engaged under theindexing hub 4| and in this position retains the plunger in itsuppermost position. When the operating handle is retracted the cam 9depresses the lever in, as already described, to the position shown indotted lines in Figure 1. This releases the plunger 39 so that it maydescend in the cylinder 34. Its descent is retarded, as alreadydescribed, for an interval of time depending upon the length of thegroove 43 which is at the moment in alinement with the hole 42. Whenthis groove arrives at the hole 42 air is admitted to the cylinder andthe plunger immediately drops so that the hub 4| strikes the firing pin28 which in turn depresses the sear 24 and releases the actuator l6.Upon release of the actuator the latter rotates on its pivot 2 under thetension of its spring 3| and engages the bell crank 63, rotates the sameon its pivot and operates the connection 64 to release the trap. Whenthe handle is again returned to forward position the lever i0 isreleased and the latter is elevated by the spring l3. The forward end ofthis lever is forked to span the lower end of the piston rod 40, and lug29, and engages under the hub 4| carrying the same upwardly to returnthe plunger to its uppermost position. Upon such return movement, thepawl 48 which has dropped down during the descent of the plunger untilstopped by the pin 50, now engages one of the studs 41 next to the oneengaged on the previous operation, and as the hub is raised it isrotated by the action of the pawl to bringa. new groove 43 intoalinement with-the hole 42. The guide pin 46 is so positioned astoengage in one of the openings 45 as the plunger descends and operatesto prevent rotation of the latter so as to maintain the grooves 43 inproper alinement. The height of this pin is limited so as to release thehub on its upward movement in time to be rotated by the pawl 48.

It will be seen, therefore, that when the operating handle is pulled theactuator I6 is activated for operation, but its action is opposed by thesear 24 and delayed until the timing plunger descends to operate thefiring pin 28. The duration of the delay varies in accordance with thelength of the slot 43. Upon each successive operation the indexing hub Mis operated to rotate the plunger so as to bring another slot 43 intocontrolling position. The length of these slots are in irregular orderaround the plunger and accordingly the interval between the pulling ofthe handle and the release of the trap will vary in an irregular mannerfor successive operations. It will thus be practically impossible for ashooter to know beforehand how long an interval will elapse before histarget appears. Such interval may be further varied, for instance, byarranging the pawl 38 to move the hub M two or more spaces instead ofone, the number of grooves 63 being odd.

It is sometimes desirable to release all successive targetsinstantaneously. For this purpose the instantaneous release finger 26 isprovided and mounted on shaft 25 for rotation therewith.

This finger is normally held in an inoperative vertical position againstthe side of the case as indicated in Figure 1. It is secured in thisposition by a detent not shown.

For instantaneous release operation the finger 26 is turned clockwise inFigure 1 by means of a slot in the end of the shaft 25, which shaftprojects slightly through the side of the case. The turning movement iscontinued until the head of 26 rests upon the abutment 21 of the 30 sear25. In this position either lever 3 or 4 being pulled against the stop 8causes lever ill to descend and its forked end to strike finger 26 whichin turn transmits the blow to abutment 21 thus moving the sear 2t andreleasing the actuator l6 even though the index hub 6| has not yettouched the firing pin 28.

In order to insure uniform operation of the traps in all weatherconditions, Figure 5 shows means for compensating for the expansion andcontraction of the connection 66 with changes of temperature. Where themember 66 connects with the trap it is attached to an extension shank 5|formed on the end of a spring 52. The other end of this spring issecured at 63 to the frame of the trap. The operating or releasing lever65 of the trap has pivoted thereto at 55 a. link 56 which has alaterally turned-over portion 51 at its lower end having a perforationthrough which the shank 5| passes. The link 56 is arranged to extend insubstantially parallel relation with the spring 52. The lower end of thespring however forms a shoulder 56 normally separated from the turnedover portion 51 of the link. This separation allows for contraction and55'expansion of the member 66, the shoulder 56 being moved toward oraway from the part 51 as the length of the member 66 changes. When themember St is operated to release the trap the space between the part 51of the link and the shoulder 68 of the spring is first taken up afterwhich said shoulder engages said portion 51 and thereafter the link 56is pulled to operate the member 54 and release the trap.

It will be seen that this invention provides a simple and reliable meansfor providing irregular timing of the operation of one or more traps. twill be noted that the timing is wholly beyond the control of theoperator as he can not even see the parts involved, they being concealedby 70 plates 66. His operation of the operating lever results simply inactivating the actuator and releasing the timing mechanism. Thereafterthe operations are beyond his control and the release depends entirelyupon the operation of the timing plunger. The timingis automaticallychanged between successive operations, the different time intervalsfollowing each other in irregular order. The adjustment of the height ofthe'cylinder by nut 36 governs the maximum distance 'from the top of theplunger 39 in its uppermost position to the relief hole 42. Thisdistance, together with the weight of the plunger and its clearance inthe cylinder, determines the maximum time interval possible.

It will be understood of course that various modifications may be madein the general principle without affecting the operation of the timingmechanism, as for instance the operating connections 64 may be replacedby electric circuits with a suitable type of switch performing thefunctions of the bell cranks 63. Furthermore, electrical means may beprovided for performingd Zhe functions of the operating handles 3 an Itwill be noted further that the parts of the timing mechanism are all ofsimple and rugged construction so that their uniform operation isassured and accurate timing may be maintained.

While this invention has been described as embodied in a unitary device,it will be understood that individual features or sub-combinationsthereof may be used without reference to other features and that theemployment of such individual features or sub-combinations iscontemplated by this iuvention and is within the scope of the appendedclaims.

It is obvious that various changes may be made, within the scope of theappended claims, in the details of construction without departing fromthe spirit of this invention; it is to be understood, therefore, thatthis invention is not limited to the specific details shown and/ordescribed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, means operating to arrest said activated actuator temporarilyand at a definite time interval thereafter to release the same, andmeans operating automatically to vary such time interval for successiveoperations.

2. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, and means operating to arrest said activated actuator andthereafter to release the same.

3. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, and means operating to arrest said activated actuatortemporarily and at a definite time interval thereafter to release thesame.

4. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, a stop normally interposed in the path of said actuator, anddelay means for tripping said stop.

5. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating interval to render said preventingmeans ineffec- 'tive.

7. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, and means for delaying the action of said actuator including afluid-retarded element shiftable to different positions to vary theretardation thereof.

8. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and-mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, releasable means normally preventing operation of said activatedactuator, a fluid-retarded element movable to release said preventingmeans, and means providing a series of fluid by-passes adapted to varythe retardation of said element.

9. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator, amovable member operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidmember, releasable means normally preventing operation of said activatedactuator, a fluid-retarded element movable to release said preventingmeans, and means providing a series of fiuid by-passes adapted to varythe retardation of said element, and means operating upon each operationof the apparatus to change by-passes so as to vary the timing of saidelement for successive operations.

10. In combination with a plurality of target traps, control apparatuscomprising, a movable actuator for each trap, movable connectionsengageable by each actuator for releasing its trap, means for activatingone or more of said actuators simultaneously, means normally preventingthe operation of said activated actuators, and means adjustable tooperate after a definite time interval adapted to render said preventingmeans inefiective with respect to one or more of said actuators.

11. In combination with a plurality of target traps, control apparatuscomprising, a movable actuator for each trap, movable connections en-'each having an individual handle and the pair 6 having matched handlesforming a common grip, means normally preventing the operation of saidactuators, and means adjustable to operate after a definite timeinterval adapted to render said preventing means ineffective.

12. Control apparatus for target traps, com-' prising, a movableactuator, movable means operable by said actuator and mechanicallyconnected to release a trap, means for activating said actuator foroperating said releasing means, and self-releasing arresting meansengageable with said activated actuator to delay the action thereof.

13. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator,movable means operable by said actuator and mechanically connected torelease a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidreleasing means, selfreleasing arresting means engageable with saidactivated actuator to delay the action thereof, 2 and means operating tochange the period of delay for successive operations.

14. Control apparatus for target traps, comprising, a movable actuator,movable means operable by said actuator and mechanically con- 3 nectedto release a trap, means for activating said actuator for operating saidreleasing means, self-releasing arresting means engageable with saidactivated actuator to'delay the action thereof, and means for delayingthe release of said 3 arresting means operating to impose a series ofdelays of irregular duration for successive operations.

15. A device for automatically initiating the operation of mechanism,comprising, operated means, a movable actuator, movable means operableby said actuator and connected to initiate operation of the mechanism,means foractivating said actuator, and self-releasing arresting meansengageable with said activated actuator HARRY CLARK FOSTER. LOUIS LEROY.

